All set for York beer census (From York Press)

All set for York beer census

8:18am Wednesday 27th June 2012 in Pints of View

The Press’s pub columnist, Gavin Aitchison

PUB-GOERS and landlords are gearing up for the first York Beer Census, as the city tries to become the self-proclaimed UK Real Ale Capital.

This Saturday, volunteers will visit every pub in the city, to log all the different beers available, hoping to beat the figure of 257 recorded in Sheffield last year.

It is one of the most comprehensive studies of York’s pubs since 1902, when the Chief Constable assessed the quality of all licensed premises, and is the first known study to focus solely on the beer range.

This weekend’s event has been organised by the York branch of the Campaign for Real Ale and The Press’s pub columnist, Gavin Aitchison, and will see about 35 volunteers visiting every pub between them. A similar survey is being held in Norwich on the same day.

Gavin said: “We have had a fantastic response to our appeal for volunteers, and the event has captured the imagination of drinkers and landlords alike.

“Irrespective of numbers and whether we beat the other cities, it will be a fun day and will allow us to say just how wide York’s beer range really is.”

Volunteers will visit every pub but are urged to drink responsibly, and not necessarily in each pub.

Follow the action on the day on twitter by following @pintsofview and @yorkcamra and using the hashtag #yorkbeercensus